An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

On June the sixth A. D. 1682. A Ship called ⟨p. 89⟩the Jamaica Merchant, Captain Joseph Wild Commander, being then in the Gulf of Florida, Lat.27. gr. about I h. P. M. was surprised with an amazing Thunder shower; the Lightning split the Main-mast, and knocked down one of the Sea-men, and set the Ship on fire between Decks, in several places. They used utmost endeavour to extinguish the fire, but could not do it; seeing they were unable to overcome those Flames, they betook themselves to their Boat. The fire was so furious between the Cabin and the Deck in the Steerage, that they could not go to the relief of each other, insomuch that a Man and his Wife were parted. The Man leaped over-board into the Sea, and so swam to the Boat: his Wife and a Child were taken out of a Gallery Window into the Boat. Three Men more were saved by leaping out of the Cabin Window. There were aboard this Vessel which Heaven thus set on fire, thirty four persons; yet all escaped with their lives: For the gracious providence of God so ordered, as that Captain John Bennet was then in company, who received these distressed and astonished Creatures into his Ship: so did they behold the Vessel burning, until about 8 h. P. M. when that which remained sunk to the bottom of the Sea. The Master ⟨p. 90⟩with several of the Seamen were by Captain Bennet brought safe to New-England, where they declared how wonderfully they had been delivered from Death which God both by fire and water had threatened them with.

On June the sixth A. D. 1682. A Ship called ⟨p. 89⟩the Jamaica Merchant, Captain Joseph Wild Commander, being then in the Gulph of Florida, Lat.27. gr. about I h. P. M. was surprized with an amazing Thunder shower; the Lightning split the Main-mast, and knocked down one of the Sea-men, and set the Ship on fire between Decks, in several places. They used utmost endeavour to extinguish the fire, but could not do it; seeing they were unable to overcome those Flames, they betook themselves to their Boat. The fire was so furious between the Cabbin and the Deck in the Steeridge, that they could not go to the relief of each other, insomuch that a Man and his Wife were parted. The Man leaped over-board into the Sea, and so swam to the Boat: his Wife and a Child were taken out of a Gallery Window into the Boat. Three Men more were saved by leaping out of the Cabbin Window. There were aboard this Vessel which Heaven thus set on fire, thirty four persons; yet all escaped with their lives: For the gracious providence of God so ordered, as that Captain John Bennet was then in company, who received these distressed and astonished Creatures into his Ship: so did they behold the Vessel burning, until about 8 h. P. M. when that which remained sunk to the bottom of the Sea. The Master